Raynham dad thrilled that son’s legacy lives on through award-winning song

Friday

Nov 8, 2013 at 12:01 AMNov 8, 2013 at 8:21 AM

Even though the song is written about him, it’s not about him, said Paul Monti.

Amy Carboneau

Even though the song is written about him, it’s not about him, said Paul Monti.

Monti, the proud father of Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti, who gave his life for his country in 2006, drives his son’s black, 2001 Dodge Ram everywhere he goes. It’s a way of remembering him and keeping him near.

The act was memorialized in a country song called “I Drive Your Truck,” which earned Song of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday night.

“It was awesome, truly deserved,” Monti said Thursday of the award.

Monti beamed at the way his son has now reached millions of people.

“My boy helped a lot of people when he was alive,” Monti said. “But what he’s doing now is absolutely amazing.”

Through this song, he is reaching people around the globe, Monti said. “That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? That’s what we all should be doing.”

The song, performed by country musician Lee Brice, was written by songwriters Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington and Jimmy Yeary, after Harrington heard an NPR interview in which Monti told them he drove his son’s truck as a way of coping with his death.

Yeary told the story Wednesday night as he accepted the award.

“Jared Monti gave his life in Afghanistan for his battalion,” said Yeary, interrupted by applause. “Jared gave his life for this country, and his dad today still drives his truck. And we wrote this song about him, so thank you so much Jared for what you did for this country, man.”

While the song speaks to many, it means so much to Gold Star parents, Monti told reporters Thursday.

“Because we all hold onto something,” he said, whether it’s a truck or a car, or a teddy bear or boots, he said.

“So the song isn’t about a truck. It’s about what you hold onto.”

Just as the song says, the radio is still tuned to the same stations Jared always listened to. His dog tags still hang from the rear-view mirror.

The glove compartment still holds papers with his handwriting. Even his toothbrush is still there – “He always carried a toothbrush with him,” Monti said.

Monti had to put a new engine in the truck last year “to keep it on the road,” he said.

But he didn’t think twice about it.

“I keep it in good shape because that’s what he’d want,” Monti said.

Since Jared’s death, Paul Monti fought to erect flags at Bourne National Cemetery for each veteran holiday to honor each veteran who lay there.

Two years ago, he accomplished his mission. Now every Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Monti and a growing number of volunteers meet at the cemetery to place tiny flags at each gravestone – all 56,000 of them.

“That’s a happy, happy, happy day,” he said Thursday.

This year, busloads will be arriving, said Monti. Two thousand are expected.

Volunteers are asked to bring a screwdriver to help with the flag planting. People of all ages are welcome.

The program, called Flags for Vets, will take place Saturday with a short ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by the flag planting.

Amy Carboneau may be reached at acarbone@enterprisenews.com or follow on Twitter @Carboneau_ENT.